AUTHORIZED NEW TESTAMENT WORSHIP

1. AUTHORIZEDNEW TESTAMENT WORSHIP “The worship of God…may be regarded as the direct acknowledgement to God, of His nature, attributes, ways and claims, whether by the out-going of the heart in praise and thanksgiving or by deed done in such acknowledgement” (Vine, pp. 1258-1259).

2. THE APOSTLES’ DOCTRINE AND FELLOWSHIP Must worship “in spirit and truth” (John 4:24). Worship “in spirit”= worship “in sincerity” (Joshua 24:14). God’s word is truth (John 17:17). The apostles were guided into “all truth” (John 16:13). Fellowship with God is possible only by means of “the apostles’ doctrine” (1 John 1:1-3).

3. THE BREAKING OF BREAD • “Breaking bread” is a figure of speech for eating. • What might the disciples have been eating “as the direct acknowledgement to God, of His nature, attributes, ways and claims”? • Jesus ordained that unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine be consumed as symbols of His body and blood, respectively (Matt. 26:26-28). • He said He would not drink of the fruit of the vine until “that day” (Matt. 26:29). • We later learn that the first century disciples did this “on the first day of the week” (Acts 20:7).

4. PRAYERS • We are to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17). • We should never permit uncertainty, anxiety, skepticism, or depression to stop us from praying (Luke 11:5-13; 18:1-8). • Neither should we allow civil rulers to deter us from praying to God (Daniel 6:4-11).

5. SINGING • Psalms: Songs devoted to the praise of God, extolling His name, power, character, and works. • Hymns: Songs of praise, thanksgiving, and supplication, which emphasize our dependence on God. • Spiritual Songs: Those [songs] intended to arouse and cultivate feelings of spiritual devotion and to bring the spirit of man into harmony with the Spirit of God. • While there is no indication that the disciples were singing in Acts 2:42, we see from Eph. 5:19 & Col. 3:16 that such is part of “the apostles’ doctrine.”

6. GIVING • One is to give on the first day of the week, as he may prosper (1 Cor. 16:1-2). • One is to give cheerfully, not reluctantly (2 Cor. 9:7). • The act of giving was part of “the apostles’ doctrine” prior to the writing of Paul’s first Corinthian letter. • Though giving is not specified in Acts 2:42, we do see the early disciples giving shortly after this (Acts 2:44-45; 4:34-35).

7. CONCLUSION • This seems to be the totality of things that may be done “as the direct acknowledgement to God, of His nature, attributes, ways and claims.” • Some may be done individually; others may only be done collectively. • Some may be done any time; others may be done only on the first day of the week. • To add anything else to our worship of God is to usurp authority over Him, and to think more highly of our-selves than we ought to think (Matt. 21:25; 1 Cor. 4:6; Rom. 12:3).

8. (Matt. 21:25) “Now when He came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted Him as He was teaching, and said, “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?”

9. (Matt. 21:25) “Now when He came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted Him as He was teaching, and said, “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?” But Jesus answered and said to them, “I also will ask you one thing, which if you tell Me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things:The baptism of John--where was it from? From heaven or from men?”

10. (Matt. 21:25) “Now when He came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted Him as He was teaching, and said, “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?” But Jesus answered and said to them, “I also will ask you one thing, which if you tell Me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things:The baptism of John--where was it from? From heaven or from men?” And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say to us, “Why then did you not believe him?‘ But if we say, ‘From men,’ we fear the multitude, for all count John as a prophet.” So they answered Jesus and said, “We do not know.”

11. (Matt. 21:25) “Now when He came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted Him as He was teaching, and said, “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?” But Jesus answered and said to them, “I also will ask you one thing, which if you tell Me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things:The baptism of John--where was it from? From heaven or from men?” And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say to us, “Why then did you not believe him?‘ But if we say, ‘From men,’ we fear the multitude, for all count John as a prophet.” So they answered Jesus and said, “We do not know.” And He said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

12. (1 Cor. 4:6) Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other. (Rom. 12:3) For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. (1 Peter 4:11) If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.